Multi-fold increase to remuneration of political leaders – Is this a step in National interest ?

Multi-fold increase to remuneration of political leaders – Is this a step in National interest ?

Recently, the remuneration for the MLAs in New Delhi was increased from INR 12,000 to INR 50,000 along with increase in allowances separately – the total salary amounting to approx. INR 2.35 lakh per month before tax. Another proposal for salary increase is yet under consideration before finance ministry that may enhance the salaries of Members of Parliament to INR 2.80 lakh per month.

Pay Components

Current salary

Proposed new salary

Basic salary:

50,000/

100,000/

Other allowances:

45,000/

90,000/

Office expenditure:

45,000/

90,000/

Pension:

20,000/

35,000/

Daily allowances:

2,000/

4,000/

According to survey reports, the salary increase for public and private sector in 2016 is likely to be in the range of 10% (10-12% in 2015) for average employees and in the range of 30% (25% in 2015) for extraordinary talent. Can such employees expect such hike in salaries as is done to MLAs and MPs ?

The common public elects such talents in elections to raise voice for national interests, unfortunately, the procrastinating attitude of such talents leads nation’s precious time go wasted fighting over trifle issues like National Herald case, intolerance, DDCA scam and other such issues leading towards no results, on the contrary, harming national interests. There is a considerable time wasted in our parliament over such matters.

On an average, the time utilized by Parliament is as follows:-

Activities

Rajya Sabha

Lok Sabha

Legislative activities

17%

30%

Non legislative activities

65%

46%

Others

14%

6%

Financial acts

0%

4%

Question hours

4%

14%

On account of dilly dally attitude of the members who draw a rather handsome salary, trivial issues like Consumer Protection bill, Insolvency Bankruptcy code, Lokayukta Lokpal Amendment, Benami Transaction Bill etc. are pending.

An interesting point to note is that these talents (MLA’s and MP’s) agree on salary increase proposals unanimously whereas that they are never of the same opinion on any other bills. One of the outcomes is that the Juvenile Justice Act took 3 years to be debated and was passed only after such a long time (minor rapist in Nirbhaya case). These politicians are ridiculing national interests every now and then and there is no monitoring or disciplinary agency to rein their undisciplined attitude which comes at the expenses of national interest.

Their royal eatables provided in canteen worth INR 1,200/- are available at very nominal prices, while farmers of the nation are committing suicide and no one is there to pay attention that they are compelled to eat ‘Roti’ made of grass, which only animals can graze.

On the other hand, Parliament building renovation is being demanded along with separate offices for the members. Will this reconstruction assure of their adroit working without corruption even after getting increased salaries and outstanding facilities? Enhancement in salaries of such politicians is obviously sore in the eyes of public which in previous decades suffered due to ‘Privy Purse’ concept which was later on abolished. Isn’t it another kind of Privy Purse which ought to be prevented ?

Even if we assume that they are representatives and they deserve the facilities and all amenities, the key question here is whether our soldiers who stand firm on the Indian borders, protecting the nations interests without caring for their lives deserve less amenities ?

Here is a brief comparison between the amenities for our MP’s Vs our Soldiers:

Remuneration and Perks

Members of Parliament

Soldiers

Salary

1,50,000/ tax free

25,000/ (Taxable)

Phone calls:

50,000 calls per month

None

Furniture

75,000/

None

Air tickets

34 per year

None, he pays while going on his duty.

Vehicle loan

40 lakh interest free

None

Pension

50,000/

10,000/

Work

Sit in a comfortable environment enjoying 7 star luxuries

Guarding our nation on borders, fight with natural disasters, enemies and terrorists, help civilians and sacrifice life in public interest and nation’s security

It is time to rethink as to what is appropriate in nation’s interest and fight for this change.